Heel-stiffener for boots and shoes



(M0de1.)

T.J.BRANDT. 4

HEEL STIFFENER FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

Patented Aug. 28, 71883.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS J. BRANDT, DUNDEE, MICHIGAN.

HEEL STlFFENER FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 283,859, dated August 28, 1883,

' Application filed March 20, 1882. (Model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. BRANDT, of Dundee, in the county of Monroe and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Heel-Stiffeners for Boots and Shoes; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

It is a wellknown fact that in shoes provided with a stiff unyielding countersupport the heel of the wearer is easily galled, and the object of this invention is to provide a spring semicounter which shall not only counteract the tendency of the wearer to run the heel over on either side, but will render the shoe much easier to the foot.

The invention consist in the construction of said spring semi-counter, as more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, my invention is shown in perspective.

I construct my improved counter of very thin and highly-elastic metal in the shape shown in the drawings, forming a bed-piece, A, and a vertical section, B. The bed-piece A is concave upon its upper surface in order the better to fit the contour of the heel, and is provided with a hole, I), by means of which the device is secured to the heel by passing a screw or nail through said hole. It is also rounded upon its rear edge to fit the shape of the shoe. The piece B, which is designed to rest against thewall of the shoe and side of the heel of the wearer, is also slightly concave on its inner side. This piece B at its junction with the bed-piece A is slotted, as shown at the slots, said tongue being an integral part of the two plates. I attach great importance to this construction of the slots, as it gives great elasticity to the counter, the tongue formed by the slots allowingthe parts to spring under pressure of the heel.

. The bed-plate A is made of such a width as to pass under the heel nearly half its width,

where it is kept in place by the pressure of the foot aided by the nail,which passes through the hole I). This construction also is important, for it allows of a slight movement of the counter, which permits the same to adjust it- 'self to the change in position of the heel of the wearer.

These devices are designed to be made in pairs in reverse, as willbe readily understood.

I am aware that it is not new to make metallic semi-counters; but in such counters, so far as I know, no provision has been made whereby a certain amount of spring is provided at the junction of the vertical and horizontal sections, and, owing to the curve at the junction of the two sections as ordinarily made, they are stiffer there than at any other point; nor has there been any means shown, to my knowledge, wherebythe counter is secured in its place in such a manner as to allow of its adjusting itself to the position of the heel of section B that it will allow of a slight movement of the latter to accommodate it to the wearers foot, as set forth.

THOMAS J. BRANDT.

Vitnesses:

H. S. SPRAGUE, E. ScULLY. 

